Philadelphia Park 06 September 2011
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My Road Scholar looks the pick of the newcomers judged on his recent workout over track and trip, but race experience could prove vital and gives LIL' DANTE the edge. Michael Aro's colt has shown up reasonably well in two better races and this drop in grade may help. Regal Pal faded over half a furlong shorter last time and needs to finish his races better.
Just a nose separated TRYAN and Shamrock Sixty Six when second and third respectively here last month (Storm Proof eighth) and from the inside rail, Marya Montoya's gelding is taken to confirm the form. Maple Song faded after a tough duel for the lead here last time and has a squeak, though the selection will probably want to dictate matters here.
Quiet Victory earned this step up in class after routing the field in a maiden claimer at Penn, but preference is for another wide-margin winner in GARDEN TOUR. Mark Shuman's Charles Town scorer scorched to an eight-length victory in what looked a fair race, and this step up in trip should suit. Benevolent Nate and Hollywood Lou could be the ones fighting it out for the minor money.
The Great Bandini was closing fast when second here last time and should be happier over this longer trip, but a wide draw won;t make life easy. The Bees Knees faded into sixth in that race but will be expected to improve for that debut outing, though preference is for DYNAKRALL. Already proven over this trip, the Wind Whipper mare was not disgraced in third here last time and could end her long wait for success.
Crack The Opus had no answer to Casa D'Oro's finishing kick in this grade last time and may find PLURACITY's late speed too hot to handle here. Robert Reid's entire was handed the race in the stewards' room last time and could follow up with a win here. Lake Friends finished strongly over a mile last time so this slightly shorter trip may be too sharp.
WARRANT OFC. COOK should relish the return to the main track after failing on turf at Belmont last time and could take all the beating here. Fly By Phil's challenge petered out quickly on the home stretch here last time but this is a drop in grade, while Joker Is King comes here in search of a hat-trick and cannot be ruled out.
Vamos A Ver hasn't been seen since finding Grade 2 company too hot over a year ago, and though he has won on his first run back from a break, this lengthy absence is an altogether different matter. Quiet All American takes a step up in grade after winning nicely at Saratoga last time but preference is for ADAM SUANCES, who faded badly after a three-way duel for the lead on the main track here but should be happier back on the grass.
Though the hat-trick-seeking Jambonied and recent track-and-trip second, Cat Loves This, are accorded the utmost respect in this contest, EPIC MOVE gets the vote. A winner on his debut in June, Dee Curry's colt took the step up to this grade well when taking second over track and trip and he is open to plenty of improvement
EXONERATED'S pillar-to-post success on the turf at Del Mar was nothing if not impressive and a similar performance in this contest could suffice. I'm Unforgettable won well last time but this looks a much hotter contest, while Jellyberry has claims on the pick of her form, but she was unimpressive when last seen in November last year, having struggled over hurdles prior to that.
Question marks have to remain over how much ability Thisladycanfly has retained following a two-year absence, while Miss Forest and What A Smile don't possess as much ability but at least have fair recent efforts in similar contests to their names. TALE OF THE FOX could be the one to side with, however, as she produced a stunning late surge to take second at Presque Isle Downs last time and a similar effort may be enough.
